Library Day – Checking Out the Library
I’ve been a bit MIA lately.
My primary reason for being absent from this space is, simply, that we’ve been out living. My friend Ivy says that’s a damn good reason and I have to agree with her.
One of our regular jaunts is to the local public library. We’ve been selecting books, of course, but also exploring other things the library has to offer.
There’s summer reading, of course – for kids, teens, and adults. Zilla is firmly entrenched in the summer reading program for kids. She’s reading every day (not that this is unusual), logging her time, and writing reviews and recommendations for the books she reads. It’s never too early to learn how to talk about books and why it’s important to share the books you love with others.
I was impressed by one of the activities available on our most recent visit. Last night we spent time on a library scavenger hunt that had Zilla hunting items in all areas of the juvenile sections – biography, audio books, non-fiction, fiction – as well as the adult fiction and non-fiction, teen and YA sections, magazines, audio books, movies, and music CDs. Zilla had fun, learned her way around more than just the kid stacks she’s been visiting, and earned a few entries into the weekly prize drawing.
This year’s summer reading theme has to do with superheroes. Each week of the program, our library offers a weekly challenge for was to create a superhero (using blank paper or character outlines provided) and then fill out a paper giving details about the hero. Fun. Engaging. More chances to win in the prize drawing.
Zilla has also been enjoying reading to the therapy pups each week. She did this for the first time back in her Kindergarten class when they brought a therapy dog into school for the kids to practice reading aloud. We discovered last year that our library does this regularly throughout the summer so we’ve become regulars.
Reading to therapy dogs is a good opportunity to practice reading aloud in a non-threatening, low-stress environment, especially for kids who have fears in that area. And since we are not adding a dog to our household roster anytime soon, Zilla gets her doggie fix in the process. Win. A quick Google search can hook you up with a therapy dogs group in your area.
The library has lots of events and programs running all summer and all year…lunch with the librarian, knitting circles, book clubs, social security seminars, computer training, family movie and game nights, Pinterest parties, special events to correspond with the summer reading theme, and more. If you haven’t explored your local public library in a while, go check it out in person or hop online and dig around their website. You may be surprised how much they have to offer.
What we’re reading this week: I finished Lisa Kramer’s P.O.W.E.R. several days ago (working on a review for next week in this space) and am currently blowing through Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Excellent. The Hub just got his hands on Clive Barker’s latest, The Scarlet Gospels. And Zilla…well, she’s read about ten Magic Tree House books in the last week and is currently working on a Rainbow Magic Fairy special edition.
Now it’s your turn: What are you reading right now? Who are your favorite authors? What book(s) have you been waiting for? Have you visited your local public library lately? Let’s talk in the comments…
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Decided to share this over at Literacy Musing Mondays today via Mary Hill at Mary-andering Creatively. Click over and check out some more great book and literacy-related posts there!
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I’m 15% of the way through A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. A recommendation of Ivy’s. I’m really liking it so far.
Libraries are the most underutilized, free service out there. So many good programs and things to do! All of my kids have enjoyed the toddler, then preschool classes. Our elementary/middle school has partnered up with the county library. Every kid in the school gets a library card. (During the school year)They can get online to have books delivered to school, and when they are done, they send it back through school. It is marvelous.
Ooh, that’s a great story. You’ll have to let us know what you think of it!
We haven’t tried the online book thing yet, but I believe our library does it. We’re checking that out this summer. Zilla has her own card and anything she picks gets checked out in her name and is her responsibility. Great teaching tool! I love what your school is doing with that partnership – that’s awesome.
hooray!
😀
I can’t wait to chat about Midnight. I’m only half way through, you’ll have to wait for me. The library is a wonderful place in the summer and anytime. The therapy pups program is quite wonderful, and I’m sure it makes children so happy to share stories with the dogs. Magic Tree House is a good series for kids. Glad Zilla is enjoying them.
I’m probably about halfway through as well, Val. I expect I’ll finish it before I go to sleep tonight. We can chat anytime!
The Magic Tree House stories are good. I think they’re a bit under her reading level but she likes the stories and there are so many of them. As long as she’s reading, I’m happy and I like the characters.
I really disliked the movie ( but I dislike most movies) but the book of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” was fabulous! Have you read “Devil in the White City”?
I’m really enjoying the book – and I will watch the movie after just because. I really thought I would finish it off last night, but my eyes crapped out around midnight (hah) so probably tonight.
I have not read the one you mention – will check it out later, though!
I didn’t realize Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was originally a book. I shall look that up. I’ve always loved the movie (unlike a previous comment – so now I’m extra interested to read the book)!
Sounds like you have a great local library with the scavenger hunt and superhero theme. Such fun!
Hi, Louise! Yes, book turned movie. I’m just about finished with the book and I’ve rented the movie from the library as well so I’m looking forward to comparing. Now that I have reviews on both sides of the debate for the movie, I’m really interested to see for myself!
I haven’t always been impressed with our library – it’s very small for our district (and our taxes, frankly) at only four items per capita for the number of people in it serves. And the size, well, it’s laughable. But they can’t seem to get the referendum approved to build the new one that’s proposed. No idea why.
Anyway, I think they’re trying to do better and do the best with what they have – this year’s summer program seems to have more than past years, despite an apparent lack of funding given this year. So we’re trying to really check out what’s there and take advantage of it.
Magic Tree House…how I miss those adventures. What a great concept for launching kids into new interests.
Say what you will about Topeka, KS and how it is not a hotbed of activity or culture, BUT we have THE most fantabulous public library. It is truly amazing and was a HUGE part of my kids’ summers growing up.
I didn’t realize the MTH books touched on other topics – I’ve seen Mozart, King Arthur, and a few other cool tings go by. Zilla asks about them and it gives us new things to explore.
A good public library is a great thing. I am surprised that our district’s isn’t much better, given the size. But there is still much to do there and we can keep pushing for a bigger one!